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Online PSM in Bioinformatics

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100% Online

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30 Credits

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$608/cr.

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Rolling Admissions (Fall & Spring Semester Start Only)

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No GRE/GMAT Required

About the Program

The online PSM in Bioinformatics teaches you to apply mathematical, statistical, and computational approaches to understand and analyze complex biological data. The program develops interdisciplinary knowledge across mathematics, computer science, spatial information science and engineering, and molecular and cell biology.

Why a Professional Science Master’s?

A Professional Science Master’s provides advanced training in Bioinformatics while simultaneously developing skills applicable to real-world, professional environments. 

Contact Us

Have questions about earning your PSM in Bioinformatics online with UMaine? Contact a UMaineOnline advisor.

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Kimberly Lai, M.A.

UMaineOnline Advisor

661.544.8675
kimberly.lai@maine.edu

Schedule a Meeting

Student Experiences

As a person with a background in biology, I found the PSM Program to be an extremely useful complement to my knowledge of biology, specifically MCD.
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Noreen B.
I’ve been able to immediately apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to my work. I’ve become a critical member of the lab…
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Yuka T.

Curriculum

The curriculum helps you understand programming and computer languages, develops computational skills, and provides additional cell and molecular biology training.

Other courses may be substituted with permission for the listed core and elective/plus elements courses.

The following courses are required (17 credits):

  • BMB 502: Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 credits) Spring
  • BMS 625: Foundations of Biomedical Science & Engineering – Biostatistics/Computational Biology Module (2 credits) Fall and Spring (Varies)
  • BMS 625: Foundations of Biomedical Science & Engineering – Genetics Module (2 credits) Fall and Spring (Varies)
  • DIG 510: Metadata Systems (3 credits) Summer
  • INT 601: Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit) Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • SIE 507: Information Systems Programming (3 credits) Fall
    OR DSE 502: Programming Foundations for Data Science and Engineering (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 557: Database System Applications (3 credits) Spring

Choose two to three additional courses (7 credits). Course options include, but are not limited to:

  • AVS 554: DNA Sequencing Analysis Lab (2 credits) Fall
  • BUA 601: Strategic Data Analysis (3 credits) Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • BUA 684: Business Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (3 credits) Spring
  • DIG 500: Introduction to Digital Curation (3 credits) Fall
  • DIG 550: Digital Preservation (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 505: Formal Foundations for Information Systems (3 credits) Fall and Spring
  • SIE 508: Object Oriented Programming (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 550: Design of Information Systems (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 555: Spatial Database Systems (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 558: Real-time Sensor Data Streams (3 credits) Fall

Instead of a thesis, students complete an applied project (6 credits). The applied project, also known as applied field experience, is an individual project that analyzes data sets in bioinformatics using skills gained throughout the coursework. 

The project is conducted at the student’s convenience at their place of employment in coordination with a faculty member. Projects have ranged from analyzing new datasets for research labs to implementing analysis workflows for researchers.

Students will present their completed projects before a faculty and industry leaders committee.

  • BMS 690: Special Topics in Biomedical Science & Engineering (3 credits)
    Taken twice for a total of 6 credits
Sample Schedule

Admissions

We have rolling admissions, so you can apply and be accepted into the program anytime. However, the program only starts during the Fall and Spring semesters, with a Fall semester start recommended.

Graduate coursework from another institution can be transferred into the student’s program. Courses considered for transfer will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

  • A bachelor’s degree in the sciences, engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited college/university
  • Professional background in cellular and molecular biology, mathematics, computer science, or information science
  • A minimum TOEFL score of 82 or IELTS score of 6.5 for international students

We have rolling admissions, meaning you can apply and be accepted anytime. The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. Before you apply, please review the application instructions. When you’re ready to apply, please submit the following:

  • An online application
  • Current résumé or CV (recommended but not required)
  • Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended
  • An essay describing your motivation for pursuing PSM in Bioinformatics and your career goals and research experience
  • Three letters of recommendation 
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students)

Candidates may be interviewed to learn more about their goals and ability to succeed in the program.

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Careers

Graduates are transforming the landscape of business, technology, and science as part of a growing trend in an emerging cross-disciplinary approach between the scientific and technical fields. The professional component of the program prepares you for leadership roles in commercial, government, and non-profit industries, and its interdisciplinary approach gives you the skills needed for a diverse range of careers, such as:

  • Sequence Assembly
  • Genomic Sequence Analysis
  • Functional genomics
  • Genotyping
  • Proteomics
  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Database Administration
  • Biotechnology
  • Computational Biology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental Science
  • Forensics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. The median yearly wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers was $100,730 in May 2023, higher than the median for all occupations of $48,060.